Anne Haworth - Artist's Profile

Background:

I was born in Lytham St Annes and although my first aspiration was to follow a career in art, it wasn't until many years later that I was able to achieve this. Instead, after A-levels I went into a career in journalism, training at Lancashire Polytechnic and later working for many years in newspapers magazines and as a freelance writer.

However, the urge to make artwork never goes away. So I later returned as a mature student to the same college in Preston - re-named the University of Central Lancashire - and embarked on a BA honours degree in three dimensional design and art history. I had discovered a love of handling clay while working as a volunteer helper at the local primary school where my two sons were pupils, and I was able to explore this fully when I returned to full time study.

I graduated in 1995 and have been working as a ceramic artist ever since.

Current work:

I am a member of many creative organisations including Northern Potters, the Art and Craft Guild of Lancashire and Rivington Potters. I also have experience of demonstrating to adults and of working with school children as well as adults with learning difficulties.

My ceramic work has been Exhibited widely throughout the UK and is sold in many private galleries.

Inspiration:

I am always inspired by the natural world. A deserted seashore or a walk in the woods are my ideal starting points. I feel that the process of making is an evolving one which requires great sensitivity between maker and material. A hand-made object holds a certain power and, for me, the process of creating is compelling. I work from a very limited palette using a minimum of decoration, believing that the surface is part of the form rather than an addition to it. The objects I make are tactile and are meant to stand alone. I love to use seed pods, plants, seaweed, nuts, vegetables, leaves, etc. as regular sources of inspiration.

Working methods:

I work from a converted out-building. My pots are all hand-built, using the oldest traditional making methods from soft coils or slabs of clay. Each pot is built up slowly and then refined. After the first firing, I use colour washes and fire again to a higher temperature. Some of my pots are slowly burnished using a spoon or smooth object. They are then fired in my electric kiln and then smoked in wood shavings and saw dust.

Exhibitions:

I often exhibit at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. Several of my pieces have been used by interior designers.

My work has also been exhibited at:

Harris Art Gallery, Preston,
Blackburn Museum
Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
Cleveland Craft Centre, Middlesborough
Mid-Pennine Arts
Grosvenor Museum, Chester
Stockport Art Gallery,
Pendle Art Gallery
Mead Gallery, Warwick University
Sultan Gallery, Lancaster
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
Haworth Art Gallery Accrington
Artspace Worcester and Henley
Tullie House, Carlisle
Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport

For more details about my work, please contact me.

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All contents copyright Anne Haworth 2008.